Office Safety: What you need to know

Overview

Federal safety and health rules require all employers to provide a safe and healthful workplace. While offices typically are not as hazardous as other types of work environments, they nevertheless present a number of health and safety concerns. This analysis summarizes OSHA rules that apply to office safety, including the following areas:

Walking-working surface conditions

Sanitation

Indoor air quality

First aid

Noise

Ergonomics

Electrical safety

Emergency preparedness

Chemicals and hazard communication

Workplace violence

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Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD)—such as carpal tunnel syndrome and other damage to wrists, arms, and neck

Back injuries from lifting objects improperly

Electric shock

Chemical hazards—cleaning supplies or chemicals used with office machines

Fire hazards from paper and other combustible materials

Poor ventilation

Workplace violence

Employees need to be aware of the fact that hazards exist, even in a seemingly safe office environment.

Requirements

The General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 requires every employer to provide every employee with a place of employment that is free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm. This obligation is an open-ended one because it is designed to protect employees in situations where there are no established standards.

In addition to the general duty clause, there are a number of OSHA regulations that relate to office safety. They include: